Izzo’s Interesting Year Continues, Will Have to Find Production with Harris Out
Eron Harris' injury leaves a big hole in what is left of Michigan State's basketball season. It also took a small chunk out of Tom Izzo.
Speaking with reporters on Monday in his weekly press conference, Izzo spoke passionately and was at times choked up thinking about all that Harris has given to the Spartan basketball program.
"I am so proud of this kid for how he's handled it, yesterday he gave a passionate speech to our players on what they should do and I thought it was amazing, we've got two weeks left in the regular season and a ton to play for... He (Harris) touched a lot of people and he moved a lot of guys emotionally. Yesterday was one of those days that was priceless as a coach to hear him speak." Izzo said.
Harris appeared in all 27 games so far this season, starting 24. He as averaging 10.7 points per game (3rd on team) with about 23 minutes a night (3rd on team) and shooting 38.7% from deep (4th on team). He is also the Spartans best free throw shooter at 77.6% (90% in B1G play),
Izzo alluded to Alvin Ellis III as someone who has "worked his way into" a starting position. Ellis has appeared in all 27 games off of the bench so far this season, he is the team leader in 3-point field goal percentage at 42.5%. Izzo also mentioned guys like McQuaid and Langford who will need to step up in the absence of Harris.
Izzo then quickly moved to previewing Nebraska who come into town on Thursday. The Spartans defeated the Cornhuskers in Lincoln earlier this month 72-61. Nebraska was without Ed Morrow in the game due to a foot injury. The sophomore forward is the Huskers' leading rebounder this season and is averaging just under 10 points a game.
The Huskers come into the Breslin center on a two-game winning streak including most recently a win over the weekend at Ohio State. Every game gets more important as the season winds down for Michigan State, catch all the action on your home for Spartan Basketball, Classic Rock 94.9 WMMQ and Lansing's Big Talker 1240 WJIM.